Islamabad:
An audit has uncovered a massive scam on surface involving eight electricity distribution companies (nightclubs), which collectively extorted more RS244 billion from consumers in order to hide ineffectiveness, losses and theft in the system.
According to the documents obtained by L’Express PK Press Club, the audit report exposes serious financial irregularities in discos operations in Islamabad, Lahore, Hyderabad, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Sukkur and the old tribal areas.
The report reveals that no measure has been taken against any official responsible for illegal invoicing, even if the over-reversal has been systematically carried out to cover transmission losses, electricity flight and poor operational performance.
In a shocking revelation, even the agricultural tube wells and deceased people were not spared. Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) alone has sent electricity bills worth 496 million rupees to dead customers.
In addition, consumers at zero unit were billed for more than 1.22 million units.
The report indicates that in just one month, five of these companies have slapped 278,649 consumers with overly refined amounts totaling 47.81 billion rupees. For the entire exercise 2023-24, consumers were billed for 904.6 million additional electric units.
Despite the allegations of companies according to which the overfinty amounts were reimbursed, no documentary evidence was provided to the audit authorities.
The audit observed that these companies had not produced files verifying reimbursements, which raises concerns about transparency and responsibility.
Among the most flagrant cases, there was Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), which exaggerated agricultural consumers of more than RS148 billion during the 201023-24 financial year, which claims to hide operational lasts.
Similarly, ten discos billed 18.64 billion additional rupees in 1,432 feeders.
In total, 22 billion outcry was imposed only to compensate for line losses, reveals the audit.
Although some reimbursements have been issued, such as 5.29 billion rupees for incorrect meter readings and 2.18 billion rupees in credit adjustments by PESHAWAR ELECTRIC Supply Company (PESCO), the lack of continuous support documentation to question the credibility of these complaints.
The audit authorities have now officially asked for clarifications of the eight discos, but so far, distribution companies have not managed to provide the requested files.
